NW business briefs: EY; Oxygen Acitveplay; Everton Way; Indo-Pacific seminars; Veritas; Mando Group

John Divers

EY teams in the North of England acted on eight transactions worth a total of more than £500m in the final quarter of 2024.

EY experts in the North West worked with Moneypenny, which is owned by ECI, on refinancing with new lender Macquarie, providing financial and commercial due diligence services.

Meanwhile, EY in Manchester provided corporate finance advice to property services business Liberty, part of ForHousing, on its carve-out and sale to construction company Wates Group.

John Divers, EY Transaction Diligence Leader in the North West, said: “The UK deals market has endured a challenging period across the last couple of years. However, over the last few months we have seen a rebound in activity, igniting a greater sense of optimism about the outlook for deal volumes. While there remains a degree of economic uncertainty, we have high expectations for the year ahead, supported by a healthy deals pipeline.

“Our deals teams in the North of England had a strong final quarter of 2024, and we were delighted to support a variety of clients with key transactions across the technology and energy sectors – both of which are areas where we anticipate further deal activity in 2025. We are looking forward with a real sense of positivity about what we can achieve together with clients and colleagues in 2025.”

Mark Clephan, UK Corporate Finance Leader and North M&A Partner at EY, said: “We had a strong second half of 2024, which saw our regional business collaborating with our sector experts across EY to support clients. Our recent deal completions represent our ambition and our intent to continue supporting private and regional businesses with their strategic transactions.”

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On Monday, February 17, the first day of the February half-term holidays, state-of-the-art trampoline and activity park, Oxygen at MediaCity will open its doors to a new world of play for the first time. Oxygen at MediaCity will join Oxygen Activeplay’s 12 other venues across the country.

In the park, families will have the chance to let loose on 24 trampolines, a mega-airbag, a super inflatable park, and an interactive Strike Arena, where players can form a team or take on a solo mission to navigate their way through obstacles to strike lit-up targets and score the most points.

High above the park, bouncers over 135cm can take on the high ropes course and navigate across six challenging crossings, while the Sky Rider will give thrill seekers a sky-high feeling as they take flight and soar over the park on a harness. There is also a dedicated Toddler Venture zone, where toddlers can bounce, climb, learn, and play at their own pace, in a safe and exciting environment.

Oxygen will hold daily sessions, specifically designed to support toddlers’ (under fives) development as well as regular Peaceful Play sessions for those with sensory needs or learning difficulties.

And on the first Friday of every month, Oxygen at MediaCity will be Manchester’s hotspot, hosting their Neon Night party, where the lights are turned down low, the music is pumped up and the disco neon lights are on full blast.

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The first stones have been laid on Everton Way, as the biggest personalisation project at a UK stadium gets under way. The meticulous six-month programme to install around 36,000 individually engraved granite stones in a unique paved walkway at Everton Stadium commenced last week.

Kevin O’Brien, Director of Intaglio Creative, which is managing the engraving and stone installations, said: “It’s a momentous day.

“This is the culmination of years and years of planning and the hard work is really starting now. We’re down here on site and I don’t think you can underestimate the size and scale of this installation.” 

He added: “I’ve been involved in a lot of these up and down the country over the past 10 or so years, but here we are talking about 1,400 sq m and 36,000 individual stones, so it is, without doubt, the biggest personalisation project in the UK.” 

The mapping of Everton Way, which sits immediately outside the South Stand of the club’s new £760m stadium, will allow Intaglio to eventually inform each stone owner where their message is located in the overall scheme. 

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The Department for Business and Trade is holding a series of exclusive events designed to open doors for UK business in the Indo-Pacific markets, including one in Manchester on March 6.

The event series, titled ‘Made in the UK Sold to the Indo-Pacific: Meet the Experts’, offers a unique platform for UK companies to hear first hand from sector and country experts, peers and senior government officials about export opportunities in the Indo-Pacific and how to access them.

Delegates will have the opportunity to schedule one-to-one meetings for bespoke advice and support from these experts, gaining valuable insights into market demands and identifying where the opportunities lie.

The series will also highlight the extensive, free-to-access services provided by the Department for Business and Trade, including dedicated teams helping businesses of all sizes to explore new markets and 1-2-1s with sector and market experts. Attendees will have the chance to hear from HM Trade Commissioners for both Asia Pacific and South Asia. Businesses can register their interest in attending the event here: Made in the UK, Sold to the Indo-Pacific: Meet the Experts 2025 – New Registration

Minister for Exports, Gareth Thomas said: “We’re working to ensure businesses have the tools to drive exports, boost growth, and grow the economy. That’s why this government is determined to get more SMEs trading internationally including across the Indo-Pacific in some of the world’s fastest-growing economies.”

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Faraz Fazal

A Manchester-based law firm has seen sustained growth in its Financial Mis-Selling (FMS) division and has announced plans to further strengthen its position in the sector.

The department at Veritas Solicitors has grown by 40% in recent months which it expects to rise further. The firm expressed its intention to add more than a dozen additional staff to meet the demand of a swelling number of financial mis-selling claims.

Managing Partner at Veritas, Faraz Fazal, said: “We’re not just growing our team, we’re amplifying our voice for justice, ensuring that every consumer affected by financial mis-selling knows they’re not alone in this fight.”

The firm’s FMS department is also in the process of growing its affordability branch as it takes on consumers who have been mis-sold finance that they were unable to afford.

Faraz added: “As we expand, we’re building a formidable force dedicated to not only helping those who have been financially mis-sold, but also preventing future mis-selling, ensuring that consumers are protected and empowered every step of the way.”

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Mando Group team

Liverpool-based Mando Group, a digital consultancy that partners with some of the UK’s largest brands, has achieved official certification as a B Corp.

Headquartered in St Paul’s Square, Mando Group specialises in consulting on, supporting, maintaining, developing, and optimising digital solutions for enterprise clients. The consultancy works with enterprise clients in financial services, utilities, pharmaceuticals, education, membership organisations, and manufacturing.

Its client portfolio includes regional energy distributor Electricity North West and pensions scheme USS, as well as JCB, United Utilities, SSE, the British Red Cross, Bournemouth University, and AstraZeneca.

Ian Finch, Mando Group’s Managing Director and founder, said: “This result endorses Mando Group’s dedication to its team, the local community, and sustainable practices.

“Our clients deserve solutions that not only solve their challenges but also reflect their commitment to doing good. B Corp certification isn’t just a badge, it’s a call to action to put people and the planet at the heart of what we do. It’s proof that innovation and responsibility can go hand in hand.”

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